Voter Safety Key to Credible Elections, Says INEC Chairman

Voter Safety Key to Credible Elections, Says INEC Chairman

By 𝔸bdulrazak Tomiwa

INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan has asserted that voter safety is essential for electoral legitimacy. Speaking at a 2026 security committee meeting in Abuja, he emphasized that providing a secure environment remains a top priority for the commission.

Amupitan noted that 2026 will be a busy year featuring FCT Area Council elections, bye-elections, and off-cycle governorship polls. These exercises are viewed as vital preparation and security benchmarks ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Chairman linked public confidence directly to the safety of the polling environment.

Highlighting this necessity, he stated: “As we approach the 2027 General Election, public interest and expectations continue to rise. Elections cannot be credible if citizens feel unsafe to participate.”

For the February 21 FCT elections, INEC is preparing for 1.6 million voters across 2,822 units. Logistics are already underway, including the delivery of materials and mock Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) tests to ensure technical readiness.

Amupitan concluded by calling for stronger inter-agency coordination and intelligence sharing. Security agencies, including the Police, reaffirmed their commitment to massive deployments to protect the electoral process and ensure peace nationwide.